Young people, recently noted Deerpark Middle School band director Tom Patterson, have a great deal of intelligence and energy. Tom Patterson serves as a band director in the Round Rock district near Austin, Texas. Tom Patterson's professional experience as a band director has equipped him to join the discussion of what is best for young musicians. The typical school day, notes band director Tom Patterson, does not offer enough stimulation for the quick and energetic personalities of middle school students.
When the school day ends, Tom Patterson says that there is still a lot of time in the day for an idle student, for better or for worse. The Round Rock band director hopes that this time will be spent for the better. One way to do this, says band director Tom Patterson, is to find an engaging after school activity or youth group for your middle school student.
Band director Tom Patterson explains that when children get restless, it tends to make their parents restless and anxious. Young teenagers have a lot of extra time in their day after school, adds the Deerpark band director. Tom Patterson suggests that the remainder of the day should contain some structure and social interaction. Many times the best way to do this, suggests Tom Patterson, is with after school and youth group activities. Band director Tom Patterson says that the few extra hours every week that your child dedicates to a youth group or extracurricular program can be a real lifesaver.
For clarity, Tom Patterson categorizes extracurricular and youth group activities into three types. The band director explains that extracurricular activities are recreational, educational, or musical. Recreational activities, notes Tom Patterson, include field trips, painting, games and organized sports. Educational activities include study groups, math competition teams, and memory training, adds the Round Rock band director. Not surprisingly, Tom Patterson describes musical activities as his favorite. That would include individualized instrumental lessons, dance lessons, jazz band, and choir, to name a few.